This is a brief fly-by, taken from an ad hoc post I made on Facebook. I saw an article on the new Annie, and wanted to get down some quick thoughts - as well as ask folks to chime in with their own.
Sometimes, changing up cultural iconography is a good thing: it demystifies and unites. And updates mythologies, making them more relevant in the contemporary context: socially, culturally, cross-culturally, etc.
These types of updates and adaptations are the sort that are needed in the world today - they can help clear away some of the embedded micro-aggressions and racism, while opening up opportunities for people to see each other more as part of the larger family of humanity and less as isolated, independent islands of differentiation.
What do you think about the points made in this article about the choice of actors, actresses, and hair styles?
Also, keep in mind this post (the link goes to "Historical Figures You Didn't Know Were Black") and this one ("Rhonda Lee, African American Meteorologist, Fired for Reply to Racist Facebook Comments (Updates)" by Stephen D).
There is nothing below the fold, and I won't be around until much later this evening.